Feeding bottle



Nov. 27, 1962 s. c. PLATE 3,065,873

FEEDING BOTTLE Filed Sept. 29, 1959 INV EN TOR.

United States Patent() File-a sept. 29, 1959, ser. No. 843,083 s claims. (ci. 21S- 11) This invention relates to a feeding bottle and to a method for supporting it for infant feeding. It has for one object to provide a bottle of improved design.

'It has for another object to provide a bottle and cover combination suitable for infant feeding and shaped for eifective heating and for use in feeding.

It has for another object to provide a combination of a bottle and a bottle support and a nipple connection all arranged to permit feeding of infants without the necessity of holding or propping up the bottle.

Another object is to provide, in connection with the assembly mentioned, means for withdrawing liquid with a minimum of suction.

Other objects will appear from time to time during the cou-rse of the specification and claims.

The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l isa side elevation of one form of the device in position of use with parts broken away and with a su'pprting part in section;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a modified form of bottle in position of use;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 2 showing the cover in particular; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of one form of-bra'cket for supporting the bottle.

Like parts are indicated by like numerals throughout the specification and drawings.

ln general the device of this invention includes a bottle or bottlelike container, a cover therefor, and a support or ia supporting member by means of which the bottle may be supported, for example, upon a crib, bed or cradle. In addition to theparts mentioned there is a nipple adapter or tube or hoselike member arranged for attachment to a discharge opening in the bottle or container. At its opposite end the 'tube carries the nipple adapter to which may be removably secured a nipple.`

In the form shown in FIG. l the container is in the Vform of a bottle 1 which 4preferably has a tapered bottom member 2 which has an outlet or discharge connection member 3. At its lower end this member is knurled or threaded as at 4. Graduations or markings 5 may be formed on the bottle exteriorly or interiorly. Normally they will be on the exterior. lf the bottle is transparent they might be formed inside of it. p

As shown in FIG. 1, the bottle includes a support ring or ange 6 which is preferably integral with the member 1 but could, of course, be made separately and secured to it. The purpose of the flange or support ring 6 is to engage a bracket member which includes a generally flat portion 7 against which the ring-like member 6 rests when the bottle is in position within the supporting bracket. This relationship is shown in FIG. 1. The bracket is provided with a downwardly depending portion 8 and may include one or more preferably integral bracing parts 9 which stiien the ilat portion 7 and are positioned to cooperate with the member 8 in engaging the bed or crib rail 10, as shown in FIG. l. Thus the total bracket structure comprises parts for engaging the bed or 'other article of furniture, and Ait comprises also 'one or "more parts for engaging and supporting the bottle or container.

The container is provided with a removable cover 11 which has a downwardly depending flange 12. The flange tits over the upper end of the container ll and closes it.

3,@5573 Patented New. a7, rasa 2 The cover 11 is provided with projections or legs 13, 13 which are preferably integral and extend outwardly or upwardly beyond the surface of the liat portion 11. Generally the legs 13 will be solid. They could, however, be hollow with the interior of each open to the cover 11 but closed to the exterior.

In the modified form of FIG. 2 the container is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. l. There are, however, t'wo diiferences. The supporting ring or ange 6 is omitted and the container itself is provided with 'means for engaging a support such as the bed or crib rail lil'. As shown in FIG. 2, therefore, the container 1 is provided with a lrearward extension 14 which has a preferably integral downwardly depending engaging member 15. The container may be enlarged and provided with a relatively extended attened portion 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the bed rail 10 is thus engaged by the members 14, 15 and 16 and the container is supported upon the bed rail without the use of an added bracket structure because the container or bottle contains its own integral bracket structure. n

The bottle in either the form of FIG. l or FIG. 2 when not lin use maybe closed by the cover and also the discharge connectionY 3 may be closed by a small stopper or closing member 17. This member engages the knurling or threading on the member 3. When the bottle is to be used the nipple connection and adapter are attached and the stopper 17 is removed.

Since the bottle is to be suspended above the bed or crib surface upon which the child is supported, a exible tube is provided to carry the nipple and to make it Ireadily available to the child. As shown in FIG. l the l iiexible tube 18 is used. It engages the knurling or threading 4. It may simply be thrust over this member, preferably being somewhat stretched to insure a tight iit. It is shownas at 19 somewhat stretched and enlarged.

Secured to the lopposite or free end of the tube 1.8 is a nipple adapter. As shown it includes a grooved member which is provided with a groove Z0 Vand two outwardly extending members or beads 21, 21. A passage or hole 22 is for-med in the nipple adapter and continues through an extension 23, preferably integral with the adapter. The free end of the tube is iitted over the extension 23 of the nipple adapter. This extension may be knurled, vthreaded or otherwise roughened to insure adequate retention of the tube.

A conventional nipple is applied to the adapter. As shown the nipple includes the mouth portion 24, suitably perforated, and a thickened adapter engaging portion 25 which lits into the groove Ztl when the nipple is in place.

Although an operative form of the device has been shown, the invention is not limited to the p-articular details shown. Many changes may be made in the form, shape and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The use and operation of the invention are as follows:

vHabitually those who are charged with the feeding of infants prepare the food in batches and ll several containers. That can be done with the present container. When it is initially filled the stopper member 17 is in place. The cover is removed to permit lling and is replaced when the iilling is complete. Usually when several bottles have been filled they will be put in a refrigerator or other cooling place until needed. The bottle of this invention will stand on the legs 13 of the cover with the discharge member 3 closed by the stopper member 17 extending upwardly. When the bottle is to be used it will normally be placed in a pan of water with the discharge end extending upwardly and again it will rest upon the legs 13. Thus water is circulated about the entire bottle. It is held above the bottom of the pan U or vessel in which it is being heated. If the members 13 are hollow with their hollow portions open to the interior of the bottle or container, heating may be expedited. This is not, however, an essential feature.

When the contents of the bottle have been heated to the proper temperature, the bottle is removed from the pan and while still held with the discharge end upward the stopper is removed. Frequently, of course, the stopper will be removed during heating to permit pressure equalization. Thus with the stopper removed before, during or after heating the discharge member 3 is open and the tube 18 is fitted upon it. Usually the nipple will have previously been secured to the adapter and the adapter secured to the opposite end of the tube. With the device assembled as shown in FIG. 1 it is ready for use, even though it is still in the reverse position. It will then be turned in to the position of use and inserted in the bracket so that the flange 6 is in contact with the bracket and the entire device is supported upon the bracket. The nipple may then be placed in the childs mouth and the entire device is ready for use. Preferably before feeding begins the cover will have been loosened by being raised, for example, at one side so that air may enter. Thus a minimum of suction is required of the child and a maximum of hydrostatic pressure is developed to assist in feeding.

When feeding is complete the bottle is removed and washed, refilled or otherwise dealt with.

The use of the modified form of FIG. 2 is essentially the same as that described above in connection with the form of FIG. 1. The only difference is that the bottle of FIG. 2 carries its own bed rail engaging member. Hence it is not inserted into a bracket because it constitutes its own bracket. The form of FIG. 2 is illed, stored, heated, used, washed and refilled in the same manner as that described above for the form of FIG. l.

I claim:

1. In combination in a liquid food dispenser, a liquid container, said container comprising a hollow vessel having an open end, a bottom tapered end having a restricted discharge opening, an outlet connection member leading from said bottom and including said discharge, said container provided on its exterior with a laterally extending ange, a cover for said container shaped and dimensioned to tit over its open end, said cover having on its outer surface a plurality of upwardly extending legs, a bracket adapted to support said container, said bracket having means to engage the said flange on Isaid container and shaped to embrace and to be supported upon a fixed supporting member, and a tube adapted to be attached to said container at its outlet, said tube having at its free end a nipple, said legs adapted to support said container in inverted relationship for heating the contents or storage or the like.

2. In combination in a liquid food dispenser, a liquid container, said container comprising a hollow vessel having an open end, a bottom tapered end having a restricted discharge opening at its apex, `an outlet connection member leading from said bottom and including said discharge, said connection member being roughened about its exterior adjacent its outer end, said container provided on its exterior with a laterally extending flange, a cover for said container shaped and dimensioned to fit over its open end, said cover having on its outer surface a plurality of upwardly extending legs, a bracket adapted to support said container, said bracket having means to engage the said ange on said container and shaped to embrace and to be supported upon a fixed supporting memberand a tube adapted to be attached to said container at its outlet, said tube having at its free end a nipple, said legs adapted to support said container in incp verted relationship for heating the contents or storage or the like.

3. In combination in a liquid food dispenser, a liquid container, said container comprising a hollow vessel having an open end, a bottom shaped to provide a restricted discharge opening, an outlet connection member leading from said bottom and including said discharge, said container provided on its exterior with a laterally extending flange, a cover for said container shaped and dimensioned to lit over its open end, said cover having on its outer surface a plurality of upwardly extending legs, a bracket adapted to support said container, said bracket having means to engage the said iiange on said container and shaped to embrace Iand to be supported upon a fixed supporting member, said legs adapted to support said container in inverted relationship for heating the contents or storage or the like, and a tube adapted to be attached to said container at its outlet, said tube having at its free end a nipple adapter secured removably to said tube and supporting said nipple.

4. In combination in a liquid food dispenser, a liquid container, said container comprising a hollow vessel having an open end, a generally conically shaped bottom having a restricted discharge opening at its apex, an outlet connection member leading from )said bottom and including said discharge, said connection member being roughened about its exterior adjacent its outer end, said container provided on its exterior with a laterally extending ange, a cover for said container shaped and dimensioned to tit over its open end, said cover having on its outer surface a plurality of upwardly extending legs, a bracket adapted to support said container, said bracket having means to engage the said tiange on said container and shaped to embrace and to be supported upon a fixed supporting member said legs adapted to support said container in inverted relationship for heating the contents or storage or the like, and a tube adapted to be attached to said container at its outlet, said tube having at its free end a nipple adapter secured removably to said tube and supporting said nipple.

5. In combination in a liquid food dispenser, a liquid container, said container comprising a hollow vessel having an open end, a tapered bottom shaped to provide a restricted discharge opening, an outlet connection member leading from said bottom and including said discharge, said connection member being roughened about its exterior adjacent its outer end, said container provided on its exterior with a laterally extending tiange, a cover for said container shaped and dimensioned to tit over its open end, said cover having on its outer surface a plurality of upwardly extending legs, -a bracket adapted to support said container, said bracket having means to engage the said flange on said container and shaped to embrace and to be supported upon a fixed supporting member said legs adapted to support said container in inverted relationship for heating the contents or storage or the like, and a tube adapted to be attached to said container -at Iits outlet, said tube having at its` free end a nipple adapter secured removably to said tube and supporting said nipple.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,130,882 Bohlman Mar. 9, 1915 1,911,280 McFarlin May 30, 1933 2,031,800 Thiele Feb. 25, 1936 2,104,704 Graber Ian. 4, 1938 2,360,224 Hannaford Oct. 10, 1944 2,760,664 DAmico et al. Aug. 28, 1956 2,779,472 Febraro Jan. 29, 1957 

